Canon Blanc

Their Story: Though I am no expert on the subject, having only been to Paris once, I can still confidently express some of the stereotypes afforded to the French: romantic, political, cultured, great wine, great bread (great food generally), and a high degree of passion in all that they do (aforementioned included). Based on these stereotypes, it was no surprise  that when I spoke with the Parisian couple Mateo and Caroline, owners of the newly opened fashion boutique Canon Blanc, they exuded passion for fashion and their Parisian roots generally.

Until recently, the couple ran a fashion boutique in Paris selling local Parisian designs as well as pieces from Italy and Japan. Due to the troubled European markets and a desire to succeed in the face of adversity, they picked up shop and relocated to Toronto to kick off the Spring Season with the opening of Canon Blanc in April, 2012. They still carry mainly Parisian designers though they have continued to import Italian and Japanese designs. To maintain originality for their customers, they only import a limited number of each clothing article and accessory piece.

Their store is set up and decorated like a Parisian apartment, and in case you love the look, everything from the clothing, jewels and accessories to the mirror that you check yourself out in is for sale. What’s more, the store is lit with red, blue and white (i.e., normal) lights- symbolizing their French roots and their goal to bring Parisian style to Toronto life. The passion they have for what they do is best exemplified, however, by their motto: “Liberte’, egalite’, ou la mort.” Translated into retail terms, it means: to provide good quality, good prices, or die trying. Now, if that ain’t quality customer service, mon frère, I don’t want to know what is.

Style, in Three Magic Words:  Parisian, Style, Quality.

Price Range (for clothing): $60- $400, but most between $100-$200.

Address: 679 Queen Street West

Website and Other Info: http://www.canon-blanc.com

Categories: Shoes, Clothing, Jewellery, Accessories

Lockett Jewels

Their Story:

When Nicky Lockett started stringing beads together at age 5, little did she know that she had just begun a hobby that would one day become a successful career. Nicky continued designing jewellery throughout her youth and all the way to Dalhousie University, where she began creating pieces for her friends and herself to hit the town in. To her surprise, people started noticing her designs and she began receiving orders for her pieces. As her jewellery became increasingly popular, the potential of her talent finally dawned on her. Thus, one college degree in fashion design and some employment experience at a high-end jewellery design company later, Lockett Jewels was born.

A simple and organic way to start a career – suiting for a designer who incorporates such organic and simplistic beauty into her designs.  When asked to describe her jewellery, Nicky explained that she loves to use nature as an inspiration, stating that “anything too polished is just not my style”. This inspiration can be seen in the hammered metal, leather straps, and colourful gems stones that her pieces are well-known for.  

The materials used by Lockett Jewels are sourced everywhere  from online, to stores in Toronto and New York, to international markets that Nicky has hit up while on her travel adventures. Many of her pieces include one-of-a-kind gemstones, vintage chains, charms and pendants, so often no two pieces will be the same.   Lockett Jewels is perfect for women who want stylish pieces that are equally appropriate for work, the cottage or a cocktail party.

So what else does Lockett Jewels have going for it? Well, the designer’s name is Lockett, and that’s just gold.

Style, in Three Magic Words:   Unique, Organic, Quality.

Price Range:

• Rings- $25- $295
• Bracelets- $40- $250
• Necklaces- $80-$395
• Earrings- $80-$250

Address: See the Lockett Jewels website and contact Nicky at  nicky@lockettjewels.net for questions or requests.

Website and Other Info: http://lockettjewels.net/

Categories: Local, Jewellery

Second Nature Boutique

Their Story:

I’m not sure if you’ve heard, but vintage is the new… new! Likely because buying used  is one of the easiest ways to inject some originality into one’s wardrobe. If you’re new to buying old, there’s one major rule to live by:  vintage is like a fine wine – in more ways than just the name.  Just as a wine is only as good as the grapes used,  a vintage store is only as good as the clothing sourced.

So where to start? Well, Second Nature Boutique would be a good first stop. When Second   Nature opened in 1974, the owners envisioned a store that could offer women the opportunity to own quality and designer clothing, though many could not afford it at that time. They found that the concept of consignment was their answer: sourcing clothing from women with disposable incomes who loved to shop but who had outgrown their clothing (literally or figuratively), and in return, giving these women “new found money” to hit the malls with. A beautiful cycle.

Today, the concept remains the same; however,  the store now consigns  from over 5000 women throughout Canada. The collection caters to women of all styles, sizes, budgets and ages, and brands range from the more casual labels to high-end designers, such as Prada, Gucci and Chanel. Plus did I mention the surprise element? Second Nature is like a box of chocolates (cue Forrest Gump line)… mmm, wine and chocolates… I’m hungry.

Style, in Three Magic Words:  Quality, Variety, Affordable.

Price Range:  The lower floor level is clearance, with pieces starting at $5.00 and all items are 70% off all of the time. Main floor items are priced at up to 1/3 of retail prices.

Address: 514 Mount Pleasant

Website and Other Info: http://www.secondnaturebtq.com/

Categories: Vintage, Shoes, Clothing, Jewellery, Accessories, Purses, Eco-friendly

Charlie Boutique

Their Story:

Move over Willy Wonka, Charlie’s back in town – only this time, the treats being sold complement one’s waistline rather than add to it.

Charlie has been open since 2008, when sole owner Erin Swan put her vision into motion – to create a boutique carrying clothing and accessories that, while distinct and fashionable, wouldn’t break the bank. As there is usually a market for low priced-high quality goods, Charlie has since been a major success with customers ranging from ages 20 to 40 years old and has received quite a lot of attention from the media (see website for details).

Supporting local talent has also been important to Swan.  So while there are clothing lines from New York, L.A. and Europe in the mix, many pieces in Charlie‘s collection are sourced from Canadian designers. The selection of clothing, jewellery and accessories can aptly be described as classic and detailed interwoven with fun and originality.

Best news? To access these fashionable treats you won’t need your gold-lined chocolate bar or your gold-lined wallet! How… delicious?

Style, in Three Magic Words:  Unique, Classic, Feminine.

Price Range: Clothing $45-$250, Jewellery $14-$65

Address: 809 Queen Street West

Website and Other Info: http://iluvcharlie.com/index.html

Categories: Clothing, Jewellery, Accessories, Local

Gaspard

Their Story:

Buy Local? I’ll happily support the movement!  Boutique owners Jennifer Halchuck and Richard Lyle have been fashion designers in Toronto for 18 years, selling their brand Mercy at Gaspard- and in Canada, only Gaspard. Otherwise, the label is sold in boutiques across Japan, New York and Paris. So go ahead and support homegrown… shopping’s never felt so good!

As for you international fashion mamas out there, you’ll be happy to know that Halchuck and Lyle are quite the globe-trotters. In turn, Gaspard is somehow local and international all at once, as most of their inspiration for Mercy is gained from Paris and New York and the boutique’s collection is laced with pieces from London, Paris, Italy, New York and Germany.

The clothing in Gaspard is best described as cool, calm and sophisticated, the jewellery as eclectic, and the boots and bags as vintage-inspired.

Style, in Three Magic Words:  Timeless, Discerning, Front-running.

Price Range:  $150-750

Address: 913 Queen Street West

Website and Other Info: http://gaspardshop.com/

Categories: Shoes, Clothing, Jewellery, Accessories

Bicyclette

Their Story:

Bicyclette has been around since March, 2011. Even this boutique’s slogan, Street Style Meets Fairy Tale, is hip – and perhaps telling of how things got started.  Once upon a time in Ryerson Fashion School class, owner Paige Boersma sat at her spinning-wheel day dreaming. Only, instead of dreaming of kissing unicorns or frogs (like in any normal fairy tale), she was dreaming about how to make a sweet-a$$ pair of shoes out of them.

Well, maybe that’s not exactly what happened, but she did pursue her fashion dreams by starting an online store as a student, only to watch it blossom into the full-on boutique you see before you. Now all she needs is a monster-esque looking gentleman caller, a magic mirror and a dragon and it’s a Disney classic!!

Bicyclette is perfect for those who have eclectic senses of style and enjoy integrating fun, eye-catching pieces into their wardrobe.   Most of their collection is sourced from L.A. and Paris, though they regularly hit up Montreal and Vancouver.

Style, in Three Magic Words: Whimsy & Feminine, with Edge.  

Price Range: $40 to $250.

Address: 880 Queen Street West

Website and Other Info: http://www.shopbicyclette.ca/

Categories: Clothing, Jewellery, Accessories

 

Chocolate & Durumi

Their Story:

We are gathered here today to pay tribute to the union of one Chocolate and one Durumi… well, it’s really more of a common law relationship but let’s skip the details.

So how did the romance begin? Chocolate was just a lone independent  Korean shoe boutique who one fateful day met its match – another  Korean boutique named Durumi, specializing in none other than… stockings! It was love at first sight. It was destiny. It was the perfect partnership. Soon after, in 2011, the pair shacked up on Queen West and expanded the family to include clothing and accessories. The boutiques have remained legally independent (hence the common law joke) and simply share retail space and a passion for Korean fashion (everything being imported from South Korea).

The clothing and shoes are best described as classy with a  twist, while the jewellery as sexy. The only caveat is that the clothing is one-size only, which might create some fitting issues for the taller and bustier ladies in the house.

 Style, in Three Magic Words: Unique, Fun, Classic.

 Price Range:  $30-100

Address: 416 Queen Street West

Website and Other Info: http://chocolateshoes-toronto.blogspot.ca/

Categories: Shoes, Clothing, Jewellery, Accessories